American Dad: Volume 3

Stan Smith is a CIA agent, with a wife and two children. His daughter, Hayley, is a rebellious leftie (or at least as leftie as America can cope with) and his son, Steve, is a geek. Oh, and they also live with a camp alien called Roger and a scheming goldfish called Klaus.

American Dad has always been, and will always be, the poor cousin to Seth MacFarlane's other animated show, Family Guy. It launched when Family Guy made its comeback, and from day one has trod much the same surreal ground, but with a few necessary tweaks to the basic premise. However, it's also been very funny and hugely enjoyable from the beginning. By this, its third season, it's getting into its stride and has found its own voice.

Much of its humour comes from the parody of rampant Republicanism, particularly in the episode Bush Comes To Dinner. Stan hero-worships him, as Bush gets drunk and trots out a litany of dumb statements. Steve and Roger try to convince Bush they've found Osama Bin Laden. It's broad silliness, rather than biting political satire, but it never feels too cheesy.

That American Dad isn't more different to Family Guy will count against it for many people, but if you can look past that, there's plenty to bring a smile to your lips.